Senseless Sensemaking

This novel is first and foremost a work of fiction. As such, there's a lot of room for things that are totally made up, adapted or loosely defined, but I want things to make sense in context. And that's a natural, innocent desire, isn't it? It makes sense for things to make sense, but danger lurks around every corner within this well meaning aspiration. It feels like the most dangerous challenge yet... (Insert musical sting here.) My penchant for wanting to explain things is something I've had to curb mightily throughout this process. The narrative style I've chosen is deliberately meant to combat 'technical' descriptions. I'm satisfied with what I've been able to accomplish so far, but some of these current chapters have me feeling the familiar itch. After all, how is my reader going to know how something works? How will they properly understand a tool, gadget or weapon? The answer is obvious, despite my logic brain screaming to be more descriptive. They don't have to. Per my Cardinal rules (Listed in "things that must be") being overly descriptive for the purposes of making sure things make sense is a big no no. If I truly feel that I'm not getting the point across well, I don't need MORE descriptions, I need better ones. And it isn't important to make sure the reader sees things exactly as I do. As always, they will visualize certain things in their head, no matter what's written down. That's not only okay, it's what I consider a basic consumer's right. I should never, at any point, be more invested in explanations than telling the story well. It also lands me in hot water when it comes to one rule in particular: letting the reader connect the dots. I refuse to insult my readers or hold their hand the entire step of the way: easily half the joy of fiction reading is building your own imagery as the story plays out and piecing things together. Most aren't going to worry about the how of things, and for those who want to nitpick even after I've done my best, well...it's a fantasy novel. Enough said. I have to remind myself that a narrative that utilizes brevity isn't anemic: strength isn't always measured in mass. In other words: Less is more when less *says* more.